The Moment Is Urgent. The Future Is Ours to Build.

Your year-end gift helps turn common ground into real-world change—equipping Builders across the country to replace division with solutions.

Is it just me, or did 2025 feel like 3 years compressed into one? As I look at the remaining days on the calendar, I am struck by the sweeping changes, from a new administration right down to my own professional journey. I joined Builders as Executive Director on October 8th, a little over a month after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The heart and soul of the Builders movement is to overcome “us vs them” thinking, and ultimately, to provide a path to hope and unity instead of hatred and division. Ensuring that Builders becomes a transformative national movement of millions has taken on a new sense of urgency for our leaders, partners, and dedicated staff. 

To that end, the Builders Movement made powerful strides this year to exponentially increase its reach and impact, changing culture and equipping citizens to find common ground solutions to the biggest challenges facing their communities, states, and the nation. 

The Builders Movement experienced exponential growth this year, reaching 4 million followers on social media with high engagement that educates, inspires, and motivates our diverse community to seek solutions rather than conflict. World-class original content and thought-provoking series have generated over half a billion all-time views. The level of thoughtful conversations we have online and through our newsletter evidences how much people want to engage in meaningful and substantive dialogue. Here are a few responses to our prompt, ‘Why did you become a Builder?’

“I sensed the “us vs. them” happening about 8 years ago ( as I’m sure many others did). I’m glad to support a voice of reason that is dedicated to fighting this chaotic spirit and trying to reclaim the best of our intentions.”—David M.

“I want to be the light for as many as I can reach.”—Laura W.

In 2026, we will build on that demand by providing more opportunities for our community to connect, learn from our 400+ remarkable Movement Partners, and utilize a wide range of tools to equip Builders to lead and grow in their hometowns. 

This year, we launched Builders Texas as a civic innovation lab. Many have asked, “Why Texas?” The first reason is that Texas is like four states in one, with distinct geographic regions ranging from the most prosperous and fastest-growing cities in the nation to some of the poorest and least populous counties in America. Often, once Texas passes legislation, there is a ripple effect across the country, with some states following suit and others passing laws in direct opposition.

Citizens Solutions is a marquee citizen empowerment program of Builders. This year in Texas, the first issue we are tackling is healthcare—a big, complex challenge that looms large for all Texans. To gain insights, Builders launched an innovative AI-driven conversation tool named Ima. We have heard from hundreds of citizens who shared their experiences and ideas to improve healthcare access and affordability in Texas. Earlier this month, we convened 14 citizens from across the political spectrum for three days of intense collaborative policy development. This work will continue in 2026 & 2027, expanding to a new issue and building on this unique, citizen-centric approach to policymaking and grassroots advocacy. Ultimately, success will be a large group of Builders standing next to the Governor as the Builders policy becomes law in Texas.  

A quote from one of the Texas Citizen Solutions participants captures the power of convening and collaboration: 

“Allowing others to share their experiences in a safe environment, regardless of background, political or religious beliefs, created a strong bond among those participating, which in turn fostered excellent conditions for growth and collaborative ideas. It was such an honor to witness what we are capable of doing as a group of very diverse individuals, in a time of discord and political division.” 

After only three months with Builders, I am 100% certain of three things: 

1. Americans not only agree on more than we think, we actually crave connections with people who think differently—we want to find common ground.
2. The status quo’s constant quest for division, which rewards them financially and politically, is now in the harsh light of day. The conversations demanding accountability and more civility will not go away. 
3. The Bulders community is unlike any other because it is built on love for one’s neighbor and deep respect for America’s promise—we will no longer stand by and let division tear us apart. 

Builders is a national cross-partisan movement powered by informed optimism and grace-filled grit. We are just getting started, and the best is yet to come. Please consider supporting our work by joining as a Builder and making a donation. We look forward to seeing you both online and in person in 2026. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, and let’s get to work. 2026 will be the Year of the Builders! 

With gratitude and hope,  

Stacy Blakeley